Former ASU running back ‘Fast’ Freddie Williams passes away

Former ASU running back “Fast” Freddie Williams, who starred for the Sun Devils from 1973 to 1976, passed away May 14.

After playing sparingly in 1973, Williams burst onto the scene a year later, leading the team in rushing with 1,299 yards on 249 carries. In 1975, Williams increased his output, rumbling for 1,427 yards for a Frank Kush-coached team that went 12-0, beat Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl and finished second in the nation in the final AP Poll.

Williams’ 3,424 career yards are the enough for second on the all-time ASU list.

He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round of the 1977 NFL Draft, but never played in the league.

He was inducted into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

A memorial will be held Friday, May 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Best Funeral Services in Phoenix, located at 501 East Dunlap Avenue.